Rangers at Roadsend

by Jane Fletcher

  Chip could feel her eyes filling at the memory. “And that hurt. Sandy, particularly. She’d been around for as long as I could remember; playing with me when I was little, taking me to school, looking after me. I just took it for granted that she was there to protect me, and she physically threw me out of the house while nobody else said a word. I couldn’t believe it. I walked the streets in a daze. It was pissing down rain. Eventually, I found a dryish doorway and tried to get some sleep.”

  “They left you to…” Katryn sounded dumbfounded.

  “My birth mother is rather good at politics. Outmaneuvering opponents, things like that. It was one of her rare miscalculations. She thought if I had nowhere else to go, I’d have to return to the temple. I’d rather have died, and I nearly did. I woke in the middle of the night, freezing cold, with a couple of thugs sizing me up. Then the Militia appeared and scared them off. I don’t think the Militiawomen even noticed me huddled in the corner, but they gave me the idea. The next morning, I went to Militia HQ and signed the next fourteen years of my life away. And that’s when I nearly died.” Chip could not restrain an ironic laugh at her own expense.

  “I was sixteen and a half years old, and I’d never been outdoors in the streets without a bodyguard before. I’d never handled real money. I’d never been in a tavern. And there I was, dealing with thugs and crooks and drunks. I don’t know how I survived the first week. I may have the height, but I had the muscles of a Sister. I can’t believe I passed the physical exam to get in. I suspect the Militia was short on recruits and accepting anyone that month. I was the joke of the division.”

  “You’ve obviously…” Katryn looked Chip up and down and then blushed faintly.

  Chip shrugged. The implied approval of her physique was gratifying, although the military training program would have to take the credit for it. “It was shape up or die. I had to work a bit harder than anyone else. No one would overlook any mistake I made. As far as most of the division was concerned, I was a spoiled rich kid playing soldier, and they all knew my mother was mayor, which didn’t help.”

  “Did she know where you were?”

  “Yes. I went to see her the day after I’d done my first night patrol, realizing what I’d let myself in for. She said she’d buy me out of the Militia if I’d go back to the temple.” Chip pursed her lips thoughtfully. “Actually, if she’d phrased it as an offer, I might have accepted, but she declared that it was what was going to happen, whether I wanted it or not. I threatened that if she tried to get me back to the temple, I’d re-enlist. For once, she missed the chance to call my bluff. We had another screaming row, and she formally disowned me.”

  Chip pushed away from the wall and began to pace along the flagstones. Katryn fell into step beside her. They left the square and entered a narrow riverside passageway. “What made you join the Rangers?” Katryn asked after a while.

  “Partly to get away from Landfall and the daily reminders of my family. Like the time I arrested a woman stealing bread in the market. She only had one leg. I found out later that she’d lost the other in an accident in one of my mothers’ warehouses.” Chip’s shoulders twitched uncomfortably. “Their lawyers had managed to wrangle the family out of paying any compensation.”

  “You weren’t responsible.”

  “Some thought I was, although by the time I’d completed my two years’ probation, things were getting better. I’d done my exercises and lost my naïveté. I’d like to think I was quite good at the job, but I still didn’t get along with my colleagues, except for two friends. They were both desperate to join the Rangers. It was the only reason they’d enlisted in the Militia to start with. I didn’t want to be left alone in Landfall when they went, so we agreed we’d all apply to the Rangers at the same time. We went for appraisal together.” Chip sighed at the memory. “I was accepted. They weren’t. That’s how it goes.” She turned her back on the river and leaned on the wall; then she tilted her head to one side and looked at Katryn. “I know it’s early, but I think I could do with a drink. We could take an early lunch in the mess and track down the relatives of the murdered women after.”

  Katryn nodded her acceptance, and the pair set off along the crowded streets of the city.

  Chapter Five—Lies

  “Sergeant Coppelli!” a voice called out as they returned to the command compound.

  Chip looked around. One of the orderlies was waving to her through an open window. There was a piece of paper in the woman’s hand. Chip crossed the gravel. “What is it?”

  The orderly held out the paper. “This message came for you just a few minutes ago. I was going to have it sent to your room, but then I saw you come in.”

  “Right. Thanks.” Chip took the folded note. The orderly smiled and swung the window shut.

  Chip took a few steps before opening the sheet to read.

  Sergeant Coppelli

  Rangers, 23rd Squadron

  Following our discussion yesterday, I learned that Captain Kalispera of the Woodside Militia is currently in Landfall, attending a regional meeting. I was able to talk to her last night. She confirmed the highly dangerous nature of the two women you are seeking. It was her opinion that they should be taken for questioning as a matter of urgency. She has asked that you get in contact with her in the officers’ quarters at the JMC to coordinate our effort in tracking them down.

  Captain Gutmann

  Landfall Militia

  “Typical. Now that someone in a black uniform has agreed with us, the Militia will take what we say seriously,” Chip said angrily

  “Are you going to try to speak with Captain Kalispera now?” Katryn asked.

  “Might as well. Come on.”

  “Do you want me to…go with you?” Katryn finished weakly.

  It occurred to Chip that the captain might be one of the people from Woodside whom Katryn wanted to avoid. Chip hesitated, disconcerted by the idea that Katryn might have been in trouble with her superiors in the Militia. However, Katryn had evidently decided that the answer to her question was obvious and started walking toward the senior officers’ accommodation block without waiting for further debate.

  The entrance hall was a chilly, dim chamber with long corridors leading off on either side. They were looking around, hoping to find someone to ask directions of, when three Militia captains appeared in the corridor to the right and began walking toward them. Katryn froze and then whispered, “That’s Captain Kalispera on the right.”

  Chip nodded and moved forward to intercept the women in black. “Excuse me, ma’am. I’m Sergeant Coppelli of the 23rd Squadron. I believe Captain Gutmann has spoken to you concerning our visit to Landfall. Would this be a convenient time to talk?”

  Captain Kalispera was staring over Chip’s shoulder at Katryn. A hostile frown crossed her face; then she pulled her eyes back to Chip. “Um…yes, Sergeant. I’ve got a few minutes free before lunch.” The captain nodded at her two colleagues, who continued on their way without her.

  Chip and Kalispera stepped a little to the side. Katryn hovered in the background. “Okay, what can you tell me about this reported robbery?” Kalispera asked.

  Chip quickly went through the details, known and conjectured. She finished with their request for a copy of the contract and plans to learn more about the murdered women. The captain nodded frequently but asked no questions. When the account was complete, she said, “Wright and Paulino hadn’t shown up in Woodside when I left three days ago. I think we can be skeptical of claims that they’ve gone there. I agree this Drummond seems suspect. Because she’s an associate of known criminals, there should be no trouble getting a warrant, although I’m not too sure what we’ll find.”

  “I think the merchants’ guild would be very happy to loan us a couple of competent accountants to look through all of Drummond’s paperwork—not just the bits she chooses to show to their auditors,” Chip said. “And if we put the pressure on, maybe one of Drummond’s women will tell us where Wright and Paulino reall
y are.”

  Kalispera gave another sharp nod. “That might produce results. Do you want to apply for the warrant?”

  “I think it would be better if the request came from the local Militia. I’ll contact you once I’ve got the copy of the contract.”

  “Yes, I think you’re right.” Kalispera’s lips pulled into a tight smile. “The case isn’t proved yet, but you’ve done well to be onto it so quickly.”

  “We were lucky to have someone in our squadron who recognized the names of Wright and Paulino.” Chip beckoned Katryn forward. “I know that you’re already acquainted.”

  “Yes.” Kalispera’s smile became sour. “I hadn’t expected to see you again so soon, Sergeant Nagata.…Oh, but of course, you’re not a sergeant anymore.” The slip was blatantly deliberate. “Well, Sergeant Coppelli, Private Nagata, I will hope to hear from you shortly.” The captain moved away.

  “Ma’am.” Chip snapped to attention to acknowledge the end of the meeting. She stared after the departing captain, her face blank but her thoughts in turmoil. She realized that Katryn had lied—about being court-martialed, about being demoted and possibly about much more.

  *

  The crowd at the inn seemed identical to the one the night before, including the obliging trader, who was still casting hopeful eyes in Chip’s direction. The Rangers managed to get the same cozy corner table, and the beer was just as good, but Chip took no enjoyment from it. She was in a miserable mood.

  The afternoon had been productive, but in a negative way. After hours of hunting through cramped streets on the poorer side of town, they had not succeeded in tracking down any grieving relatives. They had found only two women who would even admit to having seen any of the deceased, and they had little to tell except for the names of people who might know more. By default, it seemed to prove that the three dead women had not been established figures in Landfall and, therefore, were unlikely to be longstanding employees of anyone.

  Now Chip and Katryn sat in silence at the table. Katryn had made an effort to talk, but Chip had lacked the desire to reply; her short answers had died in her mouth. She felt like a fool to have taken Katryn so quickly on trust, yet it had made no sense for her to lie when the truth must come to light. Chip knew that she had desperately wanted Katryn to be innocent of any wrongdoing—or, more truthfully, she had desperately wanted Katryn. She dared not poke around at her own feelings to see whether she still did.

  Captain Kalispera had made “Sergeant Nagata” sound like a slip of the tongue, but it had been a pointed dig, a reference to Katryn’s past. Obviously, Kalispera knew the story. No wonder Katryn had wanted to avoid meeting her. The urge to go in search of the Militia captain and ask just what Katryn had done was almost irresistible. Chip clenched her teeth and swallowed. It could wait until they got back to Fort Krowe, when she would have the chance to read the full transcript of the court-martial.

  Chip drained her beer. Getting drunk was not wise, but she did not want to sit looking at an empty tankard all night. “Do you want another?” she asked, offhand.

  “Um…yes…okay.” Katryn also sounded distracted.

  Chip’s eyebrows rose slightly in surprise. It was the first time she had known Katryn to match her in finishing a drink. Maybe now that Kalispera had broken Katryn’s game of lies, she would reveal her true colors as a drunken lecher. It was not a nice thought.

  Chip headed to the bar, her lips compressed tightly. She was waiting to get served when there was a voice at her shoulder.

  “Well, Sergeant. What are my chances this night of getting you to accept a drink from me?” It was the trader.

  Chip twisted her neck to see the woman standing, smiling, behind her. She took a deep breath. “It’s…um…” Then Chip’s expression changed slowly to a grin. “A lot better.”

  “Good. I was also hoping that I could…er…chat with you.”

  Why not? Chip asked herself. It might be the very thing to disentangle her emotions from Katryn. Aloud, she said, “I was getting a drink for my comrade as well.”

  The trader laughed. “I’ll buy one for you both. I can afford it. Business has gone well this visit.”

  “That’s awfully generous.”

  “I’m a generous person.” Her eyes flicked across the room. “Do you want to go back and sit with your subordinate?”

  A hint in the trader’s tone on the last word made it clear that it was not only the Ranger’s uniform that attracted her. She obviously took note of the rank insignia on the shoulder badge as well. Of course, if she was looking at the woman wearing the uniform, there’s no way she’d hit on me rather than Katryn, Chip thought bitterly, and for a moment, her intention wavered. But the trader was merely being honest, and wasn’t that what she wanted?

  “I’d rather stay here and talk to you.” Chip grinned again. “But I’ll carry her drink over. I’ll be back in a second.”

  Chip placed the full tankard in front of Katryn. “It’s a present from my friend at the bar.”

  Katryn looked across the room at the smiling trader. “Friend? You know her?”

  “Not quite as well as I’m expecting to in the next few hours,” Chip whispered. “You don’t mind me leaving you here, do you?” It was not Chip’s usual practice to ditch another Ranger in this fashion, but Katryn was in no position to claim a comrade’s loyalty.

  Katryn looked uncomfortable and mumbled, “Oh…no. Of course not.”

  Chip took a half-step back. “I…er…should see you tomorrow morning.”

  Katryn nodded.

  Back at the bar, the trader had wedged herself into a corner. “So, Sergeant, what exciting missions have you been on recently?”

  “How gullible are you?” Chip asked.

  “Why?”

  “It makes a big difference in the story I tell.”

  “Which story is the most entertaining?”

  “The one for the gullible—no question.”

  Chip started a tale of a bandit raid. It was soon apparent that the trader would have been just as interested in discussing fluctuations in the price of copper ore; the two did not have anything in common to talk about. But before long, the trader made the expected suggestion that they continue the conversation in her room upstairs. As they left the taproom, Chip glanced toward the table in the corner. Katryn’s tankard was still there, but there was no sign of Katryn.

  As soon as they were in the trader’s room, all pretence of dialogue went. Chip put her arms around the woman and pulled her close. The trader’s lips molded against hers, her breath coming fast and ragged. The kiss was long and forceful. In businesslike fashion, Chip removed the trader’s clothes and then undressed herself. It had been a warm day, warm enough that there was no rush to get under the bedclothes. They stood naked in the center of the room. Chip nuzzled the trader’s neck while her fingers traced the outline of shoulders, ribs and hips. The woman was very nicely constructed.

  By the time they slipped between the sheets, they both were fully aroused. Passion would carry them over any hurdles of clumsiness with a stranger’s body. It was going to be very easy, Chip knew. It was what she wanted—what she needed—a simple cure for heartache. All she had to do was stop herself from imagining that the woman in her arms was Katryn.

  *

  “When you find the bitch, remind her she owes me ten dollars,” the bricklayer snarled, peering down from the scaffolding.

  “I’m afraid she’s dead,” Chip called up.

  The brickie put down her trowel and swiveled around so that her legs dangled over the drop. Her face was as stony as the building she worked on. “I suppose that means I’m not going to get my ten dollars?” The woman snorted. “My own stupid fault for lending it to her. She had the room under mine, said she was new in town, needed a bit of cash to tide her over until she got work. Last I saw of her or the money. Jo said she got a job as guard on a wagon…was going to pay me when she got back.”

  “She was killed when the wagon was attacked.�
�

  “Was that it?” The woman’s face became regretful. “Oh, well, best not to think ill of the dead. Perhaps she would have repaid me.”

  “Do you know anything else about her? Where she came from? Who are her relatives?”

  “Not a clue.”

  “Do you know of anyone else who might?”

  The woman shook her head. “Like I said, she was new in town.”

  “Okay. Thanks for your time.”

  The brickie returned to her work. Chip and Katryn left the building site. It exhausted the last of their leads on the dead women, but they had learned something. All three women had been new to Landfall. None of them had any relatives, lovers or close friends to start asking questions.

  “You know, Drummond thought it all out very well,” Chip conceded.

  Katryn nodded but said nothing. She had been subdued all morning and had hardly eaten at lunch.

  Chip went on. “She had the Militia—and us—wasting our time searching for the jewelry up by Redridge when it had never been anywhere near the place. A report of the robbery would have been sent back here, but there was no reason for the Landfall Militia to take any action on it. I’ll bet Drummond offered to inform the relatives, knowing that nobody was going to give a damn that they were dead.”

  “Umm,” Katryn agreed dejectedly.

  Chip glanced sideways and felt her stomach flip. It was not that Katryn looked any more attractive when she was miserable—just that Chip felt the overwhelming urge to hug her. The night with the trader had not worked at all. Chip set her feet to a crisp march. She had to get a grip on her emotions.

  Nothing else was said until they reached the merchants’ guildhall. The porter by the door told them that Prudence Tang was not in her office and directed them to a nearby room, where a tired-looking clerk greeted them. The woman listened to their request as though she were being subjected to personalized victimization. Her posture gave the impression that it took vast amounts of energy for her to walk to a cupboard, take out the rolled sheet of paper and hand it over—not forgetting to shut the cupboard door after her. Then she returned to her work as though she had already forgotten the Rangers’ existence.